on the outside
idiom
1
: on the outer side, edge, or surface of something
The number 22 car tried to pass the leader on the outside (of the track).
2
baseball
: on the side of home plate farthest from the batter
The next pitch was a fastball on the outside.
3
—used to describe someone's appearance
I might seem calm on the outside, but I'm actually really nervous.
4
: not in prison
He looked forward to life on the outside again.
Examples of on the outside in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fried to a golden brown, the bite-sized poppers are creamy on the inside, crunchy on the outside.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
The stepson told police officers that Sullivan was able to keep him locked inside his bedroom because there was a lock on the outside of his door, the warrant continued.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
The interior admittedly feels a little Severance-y with the all-white choice not just on the outside but also on the walls, bathroom tiles, and cabinetry.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 13 Mar. 2025
Elam, who was quickly passed up on the depth chart in Buffalo after arriving as a rookie, has struggled early in his NFL career but will get a chance to compete for a starting job on the outside while Trevon Diggs rehabs from offseason knee surgery.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
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Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
The stepson told police officers that Sullivan was able to keep him locked inside his bedroom because there was a lock on the outside of his door, the warrant continued.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
The interior admittedly feels a little Severance-y with the all-white choice not just on the outside but also on the walls, bathroom tiles, and cabinetry.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 13 Mar. 2025
Elam, who was quickly passed up on the depth chart in Buffalo after arriving as a rookie, has struggled early in his NFL career but will get a chance to compete for a starting job on the outside while Trevon Diggs rehabs from offseason knee surgery.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
Cite this Entry
“On the outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20outside. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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